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Georgia AIM is expanding Artificial Intelligence Manufacturing in the state.
About
In 2022, Georgia Tech was awarded a Build Back Better Regional Challenge Award through the U.S. Economic Development Administration. As part of this effort, The Center for Economic Development Research (CEDR) within the Enterprise Innovation Institute at Georgia Tech and our partners will revolutionize the industrial economy of Georgia through the development and deployment of talent and innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) for all manufacturing sectors.
Why AI?
Economic disruptions affecting global supply chains, workforce disruptions, cyber-attacks, and climate-related disruptions, have accelerated the need for U.S. manufacturers. AI is the top technology investment identified by manufacturers. AI infusion into manufacturing can utilize sensors and networks across modern digital infrastructure to continuously learn across billions of tasks at the same time. AI allows firms to rapidly transmit their knowledge, making manufacturing more efficient while generating thousands of high-paying AI manufacturing jobs.
What can we do for you?
CEDR will assist Georgia’s regional commissions by creating opportunities for AI manufacturing. We will prioritize and implement actions based on various impact factors and data specific to each region.
01 Regional Strategic Plans
CEDR will create AIM-focused strategies for your region, which will include engaging stakeholders and industries that are currently using or could benefit in the future from AI technology.
02 Pilot Programs
CEDR will help identify and launch AI-focused pilot programs in each region based on the specific needs and goals of the region, as identified through the planning process. These pilots are expected to launch in years 3 and 4 of the project.
03 Communities of Practice
CEDR will convene partners across the state to brainstorm ideas, learn from each other, and develop solutions for AI manufacturing in their communities. These “learning exchanges” will help partners as they begin to execute pilot programs. Learning exchanges will be held in person and will rotate to different regions across the state.
Identifying the Need
According to Deloitte, 93 percent of companies believe AI will be a pivotal technology to drive growth and innovation in the sector. With thoughtful planning at the local level through the Georgia AIM project, the ever-increasing use of AI manufacturing can bring prosperity to economically distressed and rural communities in Georgia. 120 of Georgia’s counties are considered distressed, and 85 are considered rural.
Have a place in mind where Georgia AIM can help? Fill out our survey!
Where We Work
Each dedicated team member oversees three distinct regions in Georgia. We work with stakeholders to prioritize local projects and programs that will help communities adapt to AI in the workforce based on various impact factors and data specific to each region. This meticulous process will serve as the foundation for shaping our strategic plans for AI implementation in each of these regions.
Leigh Hopkins
Primary Contacts: Julianne Meadows and Lesia Lambert
Primary Contacts: Beka Shiver and Barbara Reddick
Primary Contact: David Giguere
Project: Learning Exchange
Emily Lasser
Primary Contact: Brett Manning
Primary Contact: Mark Beatty
Primary Contact: Mike Kimball
Primary Contact: Greg Boike
Project: Learning Exchange & Pilot Programs
Grace Barrett
Primary Contact: Coming Soon
Project: Learning Exchange & Pilot Programs
Our Georgia AIM Partners
Community Engagement Team
Georgia AIM includes 8 different projects. Of these projects, CEDR leads community engagement. For this project, CEDR is partnering with the following Georgia Tech organizations:
Subproject 1: Rural Supply Chain Engagement
Subproject 2: K-12 InVenture Equity Immersion
Subproject 3: Equitable Commercialization Center
Subproject 4: Rural Small/Medium Manufacturer Engagement
Subproject 5: Underserved Small/Medium Firm Engagement
Subproject 6: Underserved Startup and Entrepreneurship Engagement
Subproject 7: Underserved Community of Practice for Economic Development Districts (EDDs)
Subproject 8: Lab to Underserved Community Program
Subproject 9: Georgia AIM Project Governance
Projects
Georgia AIM’s projects are statewide in scope, leveraging a network of partners to fulfill its mission of the equitable development and deployment of talent and innovation in AI for all manufacturing sectors. From broader talent development initiatives to industry- and region-specific projects, Georgia AIM works to realize AI advancement across Georgia and beyond.
As a part of Georgia AIM’s goal to advance AI in research and workforce, the Technical Workforce Development (TWD) project provides training from technical colleges in AI manufacturing technologies to establish a workforce pipeline supporting the growth of well-paying jobs. Split into two subprojects, 2a and 2b, Technical Workforce Development brings together technical colleges and Spelman College to achieve this goal.
The Underserved Entrepreneurship Activation project works to expose new audiences, particularly in rural and Black communities, to AI manufacturing, allowing for the exploration of ideas, careers, and entrepreneurship in a growing, high-demand sector. The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), in close partnership with the University of Georgia, KITTLABS, and Technologists of Color, is engaging its network to develop and deploy the LaunchPad AI Innovation Mobile Studio.
The Southwest Georgia Ecosystem Building Project, implemented by the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission (SWGRC), aims to solve the region’s economic challenges and create a stable economy able to withstand economic shocks. This project is leveraging existing strengths in agricultural and manufacturing sectors to increase AI manufacturing adoption in Southwest Georgia.
Led by the Technology Association of Georgia Education (TAG-Ed), the Manufacturer Engagement project is committed to helping close the skill gap and building workforce capacity to meet the needs of the future economy. In collaboration with Georgia AIM, TAG-Ed will guide corporations as they develop the necessary tech talent to help them in their adoption of AI manufacturing techniques.
In response to increased urgency for AI infusion into manufacturing, the Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility at Georgia Tech is building out a section of the facility called the AI Manufacturing Pilot Facility (AIMPF). This project will provide Georgia AIM with a world-leading proving ground for cooperative industry-academia-government pilot trials and innovation of new technologies, cybersecurity games, and workforce training to innovate, transition, and create AI manufacturing technologies and workforce with mitigated risk.
To ensure equity in protection and drive cyber resiliency as AI is implemented across the many manufacturing sectors addressed by Georgia AIM, the Georgia Cyber Center (GCC) at Augusta University is deploying cyber risk assessments and an assistance program for manufacturers through the Georgia AIM Manufacturer Cyber Security Adoption (MCSA) project. The GCC is well-positioned to conduct assessments and tailor cybersecurity training to employees, IT staff, and leadership
The Middle Georgia Innovation Infusion Project is inverting this trend by leveraging the regional national AI robotics innovation leadership of Robins AFB to infuse AI manufacturers, increasing economic prosperity and resilience. Through AI manufacturing mobile learning programs deployed throughout rural counties, retention of local talent, and the creation of high-paying jobs, key regional industries are being engaged and connected with the talent pipeline available in Middle Georgia.
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